Automatic rifle



NEY

7 Sheets-Sheet ATTO INVE TOR aELuzan BY M G. E. LUTTON AUTOMATIC RIFLEFiled Sept. l5

Nov. 1, 1932,

G. E. LUTTON AUTOMATIC RIFLE Nov. 1, 1932.

Filed Sept. l5. 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. E. LUTTON AUTOMATIC RIFLE Nov.l, 1932.

Filed Sept. l5. 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 MSM V G. E. LUTTON 1,886,113

AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. l, 1932,

w o s MNR KQ Nov. l, 1932. G, E. I UTToN 1,886,113

AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ss r.`

Nov. 1, 1932.

cs. E.l I UTToN AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 7QQ: S

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. LUTTON, OFKALISPELL, MONTANA AUTOKATIC RIFLE The present invention relates toautomatic firearms and aims generally to provide an automatic riflewhich is 1i ht-weight, ofrelatively few parts and of sim leconstruction,-

(1) A weight of only eightpounds in a 5 shot .30 caliber rifle;

(2) Impossibility of discharge except when the trigger is pulled;

(3) Impossibility of discharge except when locked; l

(4) Will not jam unless cartridge is very de ective;

(5) Will automatically indicate the fullydischarged or empty magazinecondition and will be held open at that time;

(6) May be disassembled with the aid of a tool as simple as a matchstick and may be assembled again without additional tools;

(7) The strength and accuracy of the rifle are not affected by the easewith which it is taken down;

(8) Unusual speed of firing action;

(9) Extraordinaryruggednessandstrength of all the parts, especially thebolt;

(10) The magazine is quickly detachable, has a positive feed and isuickly reloadable;

(11) The magazine feeds uniformly when the cartridges therein vary innumber;

(12) Has an exceptionally light pulling trigger, thus promotlngaccuracy;

13) Is characterized by its remarkably light recoil, fpermitting rapidfiring, greater accuracy in ing, promoting the comfort of the user, andobviating deformation of the.

noses of the cartridges;

(14) The barrel cannot shift laterally relative to rearsight due to theway it is guided and held;

(15) The barrel and bolt are locked together during the entire recoil,thus promoting safety;

(16) The striker holds the bolt in locked position at the time offiring;

(17) A novel and easily operated trigger safety;

(18) An instantly removable cover protects the Working parts yet permitsinspection and cleaning without recourse to tools;

(19) The stock is of a single piece of wood, which is novel in anautomatic rifle;

(20) A neat and handsome a pearance, enhancing the sales value of the rie;

h (2d1) May be operated automatically or by W In the accompanyingdrawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on a larger 9 scale, parts of the barreland stock being o mitted, the bolt being shown in firing position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the intermediate portion of the gun; on thescale of Fig. 2; 79

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the stock and frame, on the same scale, thebutt end of the stock being omitted;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on a fullsize scale of the intermediateportion of the gun showing the parts as they would appearinstantaneously after firing;

Fig. 6 is a view like Fig. 5 showing the parts in partly recoiledposition;

Fig. 7 is a view like Fig. 6 but showing 3 the next position of theparts;

Fig. 8 is a view like Fig. 6 showing the next position of the parts, thecocking being completed;

Fig. 9 is a view of the parts of Fig. 8 85 'but viewed from the oppositeside of tho gun;

Fig. 10 is a view like Fig. 5 but showing the bolt nearly restored tothe firing posi- ,0 tion, illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a section on line 11-1 1 of Fig. 2 but on the scale of Fig.5;

Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a section through the forward 95 end of the bolt and throughthe major portion of the barrel extension, the scale being full size;

on a full size scale; o

Fig. is a side elevation of the same 0n the same scale;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 17 is a front end elevation of the same;

Fig. 18 is a bottom plan of the same;

J Figs. 19, 19 and 19b are different elevations of the Sear, which is apart of the bolt assembly;

Fig. 20 is a full size top plan view of the bolt carrier;

Fig. 21 is an end elevation of the same, on the same scale;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 23 is a rear end elevation of the barrel extension;

Fig. 24 is a side elevation of the barrel extension, showing a smallportion of the barrel; Y Fig. 25 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 26 is a bottom plan view of the same;

Figs. 27 and 28 are respectively sections on lines 27-27 and 28-28 ofFig. 24;

Fig. 29 is a detail View on the scale of Fig. 5 showing how the partsact to prevent .wf firing if the trigger is held;

y sa

Fig. 30 is a sectional elevation of the frame on a full size scale;

Fig. 31 is a rear end elevation of the same;

Fig. 32 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 33 is a side elevation of the guard;

Fig. 34 is a top plan view of the guard;

and

of guard 47. trigger 48, bolt carrier 49 and handle 50. These parts andtheir functions will now be described.

The barrel For the most part, the barrel 40 is of standard construction,having the usual screwthreaded connection 52 (Fig. 2) with the barrelextension 41. However, as the barrel is designed to move longitudinallyduring recoil and to be restored by a powerful spring to its initialposition, the barrel has a pair of lugs 53 (Fig. 2) preferably, but notnecessarily integral therewith, the function of the lugs being tostraddle a rod 54 located within the stock 42, on which the barrelrecoil spring 55 is mounted. so that said spring may be compressed bythe barrel during recoil. Preferably the lugs 53 fit over a flangedsleeve 56 sldable on rod 54, and the rod 54 is rigidly secured at therear end, as by screw-threads 57, to the end of frame 43. The forwardend 58 of rod 54 is reduced and screw-threaded, as shown, to hold a pairof nuts 59, 60. A fibre or other elastic disk 61 is mounted o`n rod 54between nut 59 and a washer 62 and serves as a shock-absorbin memberwhen the barrel is returned by spring 55 to the position of Fig. 2. Atransverse pin 63 is preferably secured in the stock 42, to exten'ddirectly over and in contact with nut 59, thereby to hold rod 54 inproper relation to the stock and barrel.

As best shown in Fig. 26, the barrel has a flattened portion 64, on itsunderside adjacent the barrel extension, which is designed to slide overthe upper end of the magazine 44 when the barrel recoils and returns tofiring position. At the muzzle end of the barrel, a front sight 65 ofstandard construction is mounted.

The barrel extension Referring to Fi 23-28 inclusive, the barrelextension 41 as on opposite sides two spaced but very accurately alinedlongitudinal grooves 66 one groove being at the for- Ward end and theother at the rear end, as shown. These grooves engage complemental ribs67 (Figs. 5, 11 and 30) integral with the frame 43 and projectingyinwardly of the frame, serving as tracks or guides for the barrelduring its longitudinal reciprocation, but preventing an other movementof the barrel relative to t e frame (and relative to the stock, to whichthe frame is secured). Referring to Figs. 8, 25 and 28, there is anupwardly and forwardly inclined surface 68 leading to the cartridgechamber 69, the function of which is to guide the nose of the cartridgeup into the chamber, the cartridge being impelled by a spring actuator(to be described) in the magazine. See. in this con nection, Fig. 5.

The barrel extension has a feeding port 70 at the bottom, through whichthe cartridges E move from the magazine, and an ejection port 71 at thetop through which the cartridge shells are ejected after extraction fromthe chamber. A pivoted ejector 72 (Fig. 13) on the barrel extension ismoved by a spring 73 to impart a kick to the cartrid shell as the barrelmoves forward following recoil,

this kick co-operating with the action of anextractor (to be described)on the bolt assembly 45 to turn the cartridge shell upwardly; and theaction takes place so rapidly that the shell is thrown out as far as twofeet from the barrel before it begins to fall. Due to the position andarrangement of the ejection port, the shells are throwntothe right ofthe gun, looking toward the muzzle.

As shown in Fig. 9, there is a shoulder 74 on the left side of thebarrel extension which engages `with the bolt carrier stop 75 (to bedescribed) pivoted on the frame. The cutaway portion 76 shown in Figs.24 and 28 is merely to give clearance for the bolt carrier 49.

The bolt assembly The bolt assembly, which is shown in elevanai aan inFigs. 2, s,9,10,14,15, 16,17 and 1e in section in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13and 18, comprises a hard steel body which is relatively very heavy andstrong, with large wearing and locking surfaces, so that it will have'locked position by the striker at the time of firing. The bolt istiltable to be locked and unlocked and is slidable longitudinally toextract and insert the cartridge.

Near its rear end, at the top, the bolt assembly is provided with atransverse shoulder 77 (Figs. 14, 15 and 18) which is slightly beveledforwardly, that is, it makes an acute i angle with the longitudinal axisof the bolt.

This shoulder engages a complementary shoulder 78 (see Fig. 7) on thebarrel extension 41, as shown in Fig. 5, to effect secure 11i-cking oftbe bolt just before and during tiring. When the bolt is locked, as inFig. 5, its longitudinal axis lies at an acute angle to the axis of thebarrel, as shown, and its forward end is pressed securely against saidbarrel. Extending longitudinallyy of the bolt,

but at an acute angle to its axis is'a bore 79 for the striker 80, saidstriker having a reduced shank 81 surrounded bv a coil spring 82 whichtends to expand. See also Fig. 5 showing how the striker is constructed.One end of spring 82 bears against a collar 83 held in the bore 79 by aset screw 84 which passes ytransversely through the bolt, while theother end bears against a shoulder 85 on the striker 80, Itherebytending to project the striker forwardly. The front end of the strikeris reduced, as shown, and has a firing pin 86 which rojects through aline bore 87 and strikes t e percussion cap of the cartridge to fire thegun. The total travel of the striker is preferably not over 3/8 in. The

rear end of the striker extends through the bolt and terminates in ashoulder 88 which is relatively heavy and massive and extends down intoengagement with the surface 89 (Figs. 6 and 27) of the barrel extension,thus locking the bolt against downward (unlocking) movement. Bycomparing Figs. 5 and 6, the locking action of shoulder 88 will beclearly understood. Shoulder 88 also limits the forward movement of thefiring pin, as its front surface abuts against the rear end of the boltin the fired position, Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 8,10. l5 and 19, it is seen that the bolt has alongitudinal rib 90 on its underside, said rib being provided to engage(with its forward end) the cartridge which is to be inserted in thechamber, as will be understood by referrin to Fig. 8, and also providinga smooth sliding surface to permit the bolt to pass over the topmostcartridge in the magazine when the barrel, barrel extension and boltmove rearwardly as a unit during recoil. This will be understood`bcomparing Figs. 5 and 6. Were it .not for ri 90, the nose of the topmostcartridge mi ht engage the surface 68 as the parts recoil, tus deformingthe bullet and materially affecting its accuracy. Clearance is providedin the barrel extension for rib 90 by groove 91 (Figs. 8,10, 23 and 27).

Referring to Figs. 12, 13 and 17, it is seen that the forward end of thebolt is provided with a recess 92 so that said end may sur- -round thecartridge rim, as shown in Fig.

5. Recess 92 is open at the bottom to permit a cartridge to passupwardly from the magazine into the recess. A pivoted extractor 93 ismounted in a groove 94 in the bolt, so that its hardened end may engagethe rim of any standard cartridge. The extractor 93 'is held normallylowered by means of spring 95 and plunger 96, the latter engaging theextractor, but obviously spring 95 will yield when the bolt forciblyengages the cartridge at its rim, so that the rim will enter recess 92and Vbe gripped by the extractor.

Referring to Figs. 13'and 17, the narrow longitudinal slot 97 receivesthe ejector 72. Obviously as the bolt moves forwardly and also. relativeto the barrel extension, the top wall of slot 97 will act as a cam todepress the ejector 72, and said ejector will thus be ready, because of-spring 73, to kick a cartridge shell out of the gun whenever the bolt-is moved back to the position of Fig. 8.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, there are shown the fired position, the recoiledposition and the recoiled and cocked position of the bolt assembly. Itwill be observed in these figures that the shoulder 88 has a recess 98on the underside which ts the upper end of a cocking piece 99 pivoted ona large pin 100 extending transversely through the bolt and projectingoutwardly on each side thereof, asv

shown in Figs. 14, 17 and 18. Obviously, when the cooking piece 99 isswung counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 6, it will move the striker tothe left. A sear`101, shown separately in Figs. 19, 19 and 19", ispivoted on a. small transverse pin 102 in the bolt and said sear has anarrow shoulder 103 which, when engaged with a similar shoulder 104 onthe cooking piece. as shown in Fig. 7., will hold the cooking pieceagainst clockwise movement, thus holding the striker cocked.

The sear 101 is operated by the trigger mechanism (to be described) whenthe rifle 103 from shoulder 104 and permit the striker to be moved byits spring. Inl cooking, the

.is fired. the action being to free the shoulder I Sear, which is alwaysheld against the cocking piece by a flat spring 105 (Fig. 14) exceptwhen forcibly turned by the trigger mechanism, snaps against the cookingpiece as soon as the latter is turned far enough by engagement with acocking piece cam 106 to be described. Said cam is fixed to the guard47which will be described later. EngagementJ of the cooking piece with itscam is effected because of the recoil of the barrel with the bolt andbecause of the action of a cam 107 fixed to the upper rear portion ofthe frame and acting to depress the bolt. The cam 107 will also bedescribed later.

The projecting endsof pivot pin 100 fit in" \--The bolt carrier 49 isshown alone in Figs. 20, 21 and 22 and one of its functions is totransfer some of the shock of the recoil to a spring 110 (Figs. 2 and 5)housed in the butt end of the stock. The bolt carrier 49 is slidablewith respect to the frame 43, which is rigidly secured to the stock. Theprimary purpose of the bolt carrier is to move the bolt up to lock thebolt; and whenever the bolt carrier is moved relative to the bolt, itmust move the bolt up until the shoulder 77 engages shoulder 78 on thebarrel extension. Compare Fig. 10 showing the bolt returned but notlocked, and Fig. 2, showing the bolt locked and the gun ready to fire.

It should be explained at this point that cam 107, which unlocks thebolt, is effective for this purpose only when the gun is operatedautomatically. When the gun is operated by hand, using handle 50, thecam slots 108 act both to lock and unlock the bolt,

and cam 107 serves as a stop and assists in the cocking operation. Thisdouble action of cam slots 108 is because handle 50 is directlyconnected to the bolt carrier and thus reciprocation of the bolt carrieris effected by manual power.

The spring 110 not only absorbs part of the recoil, but what is moreimportant, shoves the bolt forward, this action occurring after thebarrel and barrel extension have been returned by the barrel recoilspring. Compare Figs. 8 and 10. The final upward movement of the bolt,as just explained, is effected by cam slots 108 as the bolt carriernears its extreme forward position (compare Figs. 10 and 5).

Referring to Figs. 31, 32 and 9, it is seen that the frame is providedon opposite sides with straight longitudinal ribs 111 which extendinwardly to provide guides for the slidable bolt carrier 49. The latterhas longitudinal grooves 112 (Figs. 9, 21 and 22) to receive ribs 111.The lower ribs 111 and the upper ribs 67 for guiding the barrel allco-operate to greatly strengthen the thin shell of the frame 43, as willbe understood after examining Figs. 30 and 32.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the connection between spring 110 and thebolt carrier is made by means of a cross-bar 113 rigidly connecting theopposite sides of the bolt carrier together (see also Fig. 22), saidcross-bar having a recess 114 receiving one end of a rod 115 whichextends into a recessed plunger or spring follower 116 slidable in atubular housing 117 set in the butt end ofthe gunstock. Within housing117 is the coil s ring 110 which tends to move the spring .fol ower 116forwardly, the other end of said spring being restrained by a plug 118fixed to the-` houslng. Access to these parts may be had through arecess 119 in the butt and closed by an ordinary butt plate 120.Obviously spring 110 tends to move the bolt carrier forwardly to theextreme forward position of Figs. 2 and 5 and will hold it in suchposition until the recoil of the barrel carries the bolt back, and hencethe bolt carrier back, because of pin 100 and slots 108.

The tendency of spring 110 is to move the bolt upwardly (because of thecam slots 108 and their action on pin 100), and when the bolt is in theposition of Fi 8, any u ward ush on the rear end of theolt woul causeinding at the front end, which barely projects into the barrelextension. To. hold the bolt down when in the position of Fig. 8 anduntil it assumes the position of Fig. 10, a'

bolt lock 121 is provided on the bolt carrier, said bolt lock consistingof a member pivoted as at 122 upon the bolt carrier and having oppositeends which engage shoulders" 123 cut into the rear face 88 of the bolt.See Fig. 14, and for such enga ement, Fig. 8. The upper end of the boltloc has a nose 124 which engages the top of cross bar 113 (Figs. 8 and22), thus limiting outward movement of the bolt lock. A plunger 125 andcoil spring 126 (Fig. 5) set in cross bar 113 tend to hold the bolt lockin the position of Fig. 7 or Fig. 8, while depressed, as in Flgs. 5, 6and 10).

As shown in Figs. 20, 21 and 22, the bolt lock on the bolt carrier hasan arm 127 rigidly secured thereto and extending downwardly so as almostto contact with the guard.

cam 128 (Figs. 9, 10 and 34) fixed to the guard is engaged by the lowerend of arm 127 when the bolt carrier moves forwardly from the positionof Fig. 8 to that of Fig. 10, thereby to move the bolt lock so thatshoulders 123 are released, thus permitting the bolt to be movedupwardly by the cam slots 108. It will be clear that the bolt of Fig. 10will be moved into locked position permitting said lock to securinhandle 50 to the bolt carrier.

bolt carrier.

T he frame The frame and the bolt carrier are shown separately from theother parts in Figs. 30, 31 and 32. Frame 43 is generally rectangular,having the guiding ribs 67 and 111 already described, also alongitudinal slot 132 through which passes a bolt 133 (Fig.

e rod 54 or the barrel recoil spring is also essentially a part of theframe, although removable therefrom because of the screwthreaded endwhich fits in the front cross member 134 of the frame. Said front crossmember 134 is cut out, as shown at 135 in Fig. 32, to accommodate theforward end of the magazine, thereby serving as one of the guides andholders for the magazine.

The rear upper end of the frame carries the bolt-unlocking cam 107, bestshown in Figs. 7, 9 and 35. This cam has a rearwardly and downwardlysloping cam surface which, as will be clear from the foregoin isengagedrby the sloping rear end of the olt when the barrel recoils, tounlock the bolt from the barrel extension, an action which is shown inFigs. 6, 7 and 8.

-The bolt-unlocking cam has a centering pin 136 provided with 'ashoulder 137 into which a pin 138, pressed upwardly by spring 139,engages to lock the cam against longitudinal movement, yet permittingremoval of the cam by hand when it is desired to remove the bolt.Surrounding the centering pin 136 and interposed between the cam 107 andthe frame is a fibre disk 140 which absorbs some of the metallic shockand jar occurring when the bolt strikes the cam. The recess 141 in thecam gives room for the shoulder of the striker, as will be understoodfrom Fig. 7. A notch 142 35) at the top of cam 107 centersthe cam yengagement with a pin 143 projecting from the frame. Thus the cam cannotlbe assembled with the frame in any position but the right position.

As shown in Fig. .31, the frame 43 has a hole 144 in the rear end intowhich the forward end of the tubular spring housing 117 fits, as shownin Figs. 2 and 5. vThe recesses 145, 146, 147 are provided principallyto reduce the weight of the housing, while recess 148 gives clearancewhen removing the bolt.

Pivoted at an intermediate point on the left side of the frame is thebolt carrier stop 75, the pivot of which is indicated at 149 .gagesnotches in the underside of (Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10). The function of thislever is to hold the bolt carrier back when the barrel goes forward, anaction clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The stop 75 is tripped byengagement with surface 74 (Fi 9) when the arrel extension is almost althe way forward so as to release the bolt carrier, whereupon the boltcarrier is moved by its spring to the position of Fig. 10. A flat spring150, best shown in Figs. 5, 8 and 30, is held by pins 151 152 on theframe and bears against the stop to hold the rear end thereof normallydepressed so that that end may engage the bolt carrier as shown in Fig.8.

The guard and trigger mechanism The guard 47 is shown separately inFigs.. 33 and 34 and comprises a thin steel late .which is secured byscrews to the stoc as from cam 106 is a Y` short pin which is receivedwithin a slot 158 (Fig. 5) in the trigger so that said trigger bar isconfined to back and forth movement. A spring 159 (Fig. 5) on a pin 160having a tapering head 161 (engaging an abutment 162 on the guard)provides meansfto hold the trigger normally advanced, as in Fig. 2, theposition at the moment of firing being illustrated in Fig. 5. Secured tothe trig er by a rivet 163 is a trigger bar 164 slida le over the upper(inner) surface of the guard. See Figs. 33 and 34. A spring 165 securedto the rear end of the trigger bar bears against a pin 166 projectinglaterally from the trigger, the result being that the trigger bar at itsforward end is normally held down. Said forward end carries anupstanding arm 167 (shown in Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 10 and in dotted lines inFig. 11) having an inwardly pro-` jecting extension 168 designed toengage with the projection 169 on the sear (see Figs. 2, 17 and 19) whenthe trigger is pulled, thereby to trip the striker, as previouslyexplained, and discharge the firearm.

The trigger has a safety device shown in Figs. 5 and 33 and consistingof a slidable pin 170 passing transversely through. the trigger andengageable with a stop 171 fast to the underside of the guard whenprojected on the right hand side of the trigger, thereby to prevent thetrigger from being moved if pulled. A spring-pressed plunger 172 en-(pin 170 to hold the same in either projecte or retracted position. Thepin is pushed from the left end when the safety is to be put on, andushed from the right when the safety is to released.

The magazine The magazine 44 is best shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 12 andcomprises a metallic shell having a capacity preferably of fourcartridges 173, a follower 174 within the shell tending to force thecartridges upwardly. The follower 174 is pressed upwardly by a springplun er 175 reciprocable vertically in a cham r 176 at the forward endof the magazine, the spring 177 on said plunger engaging a horizontalwall 178 fixed to the walls of the chamber 176. The lower end of plunger175 engages one end of a. lever 179 pivoted as at 180 to swingvertically within the magazine, the other end .o'f lever 179 pressingupwardly against a pin 181 to which the buttons 154 are secured, saidpin passing throu h slots 182 in the opposite si e walls of t emagazine. Thus, t e pressure from spring 177 is transferred to 1n 181.Between pin 181 and the follower 17)4 is a pair of U-shaped levers 183,184 each pivoted at one end to the side walls of the magazine, thepivotal axis 185 of lever 183 being at the rear end of the magazine nearthe bottom and the pivotal axis 186 of lever 184 being at the forwardend, also near the bottom. It will be clear that each U-shaped lever ispivoted by means of its free ends being passed through apertures onoposite sides of the magazine. The loop end o each lever 183, 184 bearsagainst the underside of follower 174, the arrangement being such thatboth ends of the follower are pressed upwardly because of the pressuretransmitted to the U-shaped levers through pin 181.

It will be observed that slots 182 have af wavy or sinuous form, so thatpin 181 will vary its distance from the pivotal axes 185, 186 as ittravels up through the magazine as the magazine is em tied. The resultis that the spring first ears more strongly against lever 183, so that,as shown in Fig. 5, when the magazine is full the forward end offollower 174 is raised higher than the rear end, thus com ensating forthe cumulatiye effect of stac ing a number of tapering cartridges, all`pointing in the same direction, within the magazine. Thus the follower174 lies fiat against the underside of the lowermost cartridge, when themagazine is full, and pushes upwardly uniformly. As the magazinedischarges, the follower 174 and pin 181 rise, and the effect of thespring will be varied until, when the last cartridge is in the magazine,the follower will be practically horizontal (or parallel to the bottomof the magazine) pressing the last cartridge upwardly with uniformpressure. The cartridges are held against direct upward vside wall ofthe magazine.

movement by the shaped lisp atv the top edges of the sideV walls of themagazine, as is known in the art and hence not specially illustrated.However, as will be understood from Fig. 8, when the bolt movesforwardly, it engages the rear end of the topmost cartridge and moves itfar enough to release it from the restraining lips of t-he magazine, andthe nose of the cartridge, guided as above described, enters thecartridge chamber, the rear end of the cartridge entering the recess inthe end of the bolt and being thrust home bythe bolt.

It will be clear that the buttons on the o posite sides of the magazineserve as ind@- cators, showing whether the magazine is full, partly fullor empty; also these buttons assist in filling the magazine, as thefollower may be depressed more easily if the buttons are pulled down asthe cartridges are inserted. It is desirable to provide means other`than the buttons to indicate when the magazine is empty, and inaccordance with the 1nvention I provide means actuated by one of thebuttons to hold the gun o n when fully discharged. Referring to ig. 9,there 1s shown a lever 187 pivoted to the frame as at 188 near itsforward end, said lever having a spring 189 housed in itsgforward endand engaging the top of a shoulder 190 on the cross member 134 of theframe. Spring 189 holds the rear end of lever 187 down except when saidlever is engaged by the magazine button and raised, as shown m Fig.`9.The rear end of lever 187 is cut out, as shown, and is alwa s in contactwith pin 130, but the arc of the cutout portion is larger than thecurvature of pin 130, so that slight up and down movement of lever 187is permitted. When the lever 187 is uppermost, as in- Fig. 9, its rearen'd projects high enough to be engaged by the end of the bolt carrierto prevent said member from moving forwardly to lock the bolt. Hence aslong as the magazine is empty, the gun will not close, i. e., assume theposition of Fig. 2.v

The magazine is designed to be quickly inserted and removed by hand, anda releasable latch is employed to hold it upon the frame. See Figs. 9,33 and 34. The latch 191 is pivoted as at 192 on the guard at one sideof the opening through which the magazine is inserted, and has athumb-piece 193 to effect disengagement, as well as .a latch-piece 194engaging the shallow groove 195 (Fig. 7) in one A spring 196 on thelatch presses against a vertical pin 197 fast to the guard and thuspermits the latch to yield and be restored to latching position when thethumbpicce is pressed and then re leased.

F -1'1'6 control by trigger pull only One ofthe features of a rifleembodying my invention is that the trigger must be pulled llO for eachshot. This prevents complete discharge of the magazine byunintentionally allowing the finger to rest too long on the trigger.Referring to Fig. S29, the trigger is shown pulled all the way back andthe trigger bar is shown tilted upwardly (because the trigger is stillheld), the projection 169 on the Sear having engaged under the extension168 of the trigger bar as the bolt rises to locked position. The riflecannot now be discharged. If, however, the user releases the trigger, itwill slide forward because of 1ts spring 159, and the trigger bar willswing downwardly because of its spring 165, whereupon thc parts willassume the firing position (Fig. 2).

' The stock The stock 42 is preferably of one piece of wood. and servesas a. support for the guard and frame, the other parts being supportedon the frame as previously described. There is nothing to be gained by adetailed description of the stock.

The cocer Detachably mounted on the frame is a cover 46. Figs. 2 and 3show the cover in place, and Figs. 4 and 32 the frame with the coverremoved. The cover is preferably slidably interlocked with the frame,and hence the frame on each side has an undercut shoulder 198 (Figs. 31and 32) with which the lower edges of cover 46 interlock. The cover isplaced on the frame so that its front edges engage the two groovesformed under shoulders 198 and then is slid forwardly until it coversthe frame completely except for the slot 199 through which the shellsare ejected. A spring-pressed latch 200 (Figs. 30, 32) on the frameprojects laterally outwardly at one side to engage in a complementaryaperture in the cover, the aperture being so located that the cover mustbe completely positioned before it is latched. When the cover is to beremoved to inspect or clean the gun, the user merely depresses latch20() by the end of a match or the like, whereupon the cover may beremoved by sliding it rearwardly.

At-the rear end of the cover, a rear sight 201 is mounted. This may be apeep sight, or an open sight of conventional construction, or theillustrative sight I have designed for the rifle of the presentinvention. It will be observed that the position of sight 201 isconduclve to accuracy and control of fire, the sight being well to therear.

From the above description of the parts and their operation andco-operation, it is believed that any one skilled in the art to whichthis invent-ion pertains will understand the complete operation of therifle as a whole, and hence a detailed description of the operation isomitted. f

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particularembodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is notindispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly,since they may be employed advantageously in various cambinations andsub-combinations.

What I claim is 1. An automatic rifle comprising, in combination, astock; a frame secured to the stock; a recoiling barrel reciprocable onthe frame; a recoil spring carried forwardly of the frame and compressedby a projection on the barrel when the barrel recoils; a bolt normallylocked to the barrel; a bolt carrier; means to unlock the bolt as thebarrel reaches the limit of recoil movement; a pin projecting laterallyfrom the bolt; cam slots on the bolt carrier receiving the opposite endsof said pin; and a spring housed in the stock and adapted to move thebolt carrier forwardly to effect locking of the bolt by the action ofsaid cam slots on said pin. v

2. In an automatic rifle, the combination of a magazine; a bolt carrier;a. bolt; a barrel; cooperating means on the bolt carrier and bolt toeffect locking of the bolt when the bolt is returned to firing position;a bolt carrier latch; and means on the magazine which engages said latchto move it into such a position that the bolt carrier and hence the boltis prevented from being returned to firing position.

3. In an automatic rifle, in combination, a frame; a barrel; a barrelextension having a sloping locking shoulder at the rear top p0rtion; abolt havin r a complementary shoulder and locked by said barrelextension against the barrel; and cams for automatically unlocking andlocking the bolt as the barrel is reciprocated; said unlocking andlocking causing a swinging of the bolt with respect to the barrelextension; the unlocking cam being fixed to the frame and the lockingcam being movable relative to the bolt when the bolt is almost at thelocked position thereby to swing the bolt upwardly.

4. A safety automatic rifle having a bolt; a striker; a trigger; abarrel; afbarrelv extension to which the bolt is locked; a frame; and astock; means to prevent release of the striker when the trigger is helddurin automatic action of the rifle until the tri ger is released andthen pulled, and coactin means on the striker and barrel extension oprevent pulling of the trigger unless the bolt is locked.

5. An automatic rifle having a stock, frame, barrel, barrel extension,bolt and striker; the bolt being locked to the barrel extension; andcoacting means on the barrel extension-and the striker to hold the boltin locked position at the time of tiring and until the striker isrccocked.

6. An automatic rifle comprising, in combination, a frame having upperand lower longitudinal guides; a barrel; a barrel extension having meansSlidably engaging the upper guides; a bolt; a bolt carrier slidable onthe lower guides; and springs acting independently on the barrel andbolt carrier to move cach forwardly.

7. An automatic rifle comprising, in combination, a recoilin barrel; abarrel extension; a bolt reciprocabIe and swingable relative to thebarrel to be locked and unlocked on the barrel extension; means fortemporarily holding the bolt back when the barrel is restored to itsinitial position; other means for restoring the bolt to its initialposition; and locking means to hold the bolt down when i the farthestposition of recoil.

8. An automatic rifle comprising, in combination, a recoiling barrel; abarrel extension; a bo1t-carried by the barrel extension and locked toand unlocked therefrom auto matically; a bolt carrier; a latchautomatically engageable with the bolt carrier to hold it backmomentarily when the barrel goes forward; and means on thebarrel/extension engaging with said latch to effect release of the boltcarrier as the barrel reaches its normal position.

- 9. An automatic rifle comprisin in combination, a recoiling barrel; abarre extension; a bolt carried by the barrel extension; a bolt carrier;a latch automatically engageable with the bolt carrier to hold it backmomentarily when the barrel goes forward; means on the barrel extensionengaging said latch to effect release of the bolt carrier as the barrelreaches its normal position; a cam for automatically unlocking the boltduring recoil; a spring tending to move said. bolt carrier back tonormal position; and co-operating means on the bolt carrier and bolt toeffect locking of the bolt when restored nearly to its initial lockedposition, the spring supplying the energy for the actual locking of thebolt.

10. An automatic rifle comprising, in combination, a. barrel; a barrelextension having a beveled or sloping locking shoulder at the rear topportion; a bolt having a complementa shoulder to be locked against saidbarrel an barrel extension; a frame on which the barrel extension isslidable; a cam fixed to said frame and engageable b the bolt to unlockthe bolt from the barrelextensionand means to automatically lock thebolt when restored substantially to its'initial position.

11. An automatic rifle comprising in combnation, a barrel; a barrelextension having a beveled or sloping locking shoulder at the rear topportion; a bolt having a complementary shoulder to be locked againstsaid barrel and barrel extension; a frame on which the barrel extensionis slidable; a cam fixed to saidl frame and engageable by the bolt tounlock the bolt from the barrel extension; a bolt carrier slidable onthe frame; a spring urging said bolt carrier forwardly; and means on thebolt engagin said bo'lt carrier 35 to effect locking of the bo t when itand the bolt carrier have been moved forward by `the spring, said springsupplying the energy of the actual locking of the bolt.

12. An automatic rifle comprising, -in combination, a recoiling barrel;a frame on which the barrel reciprocates; a cover for said frame beneathwhich the barrel moves; said cover having throughout its length asliding, interlocking connection with the frame; and a spring operatedlatchon the frame and engageable with the cover for holding the cover-in frame-closing position.

13. A magazine for automatic rifles, in combination, a hollow body; afollower within the body; a pair of levers pivoted to the 8 0 body atopposite ends at low points; a pin engaged b said levers and guided byslots on opposite sides of the body; a lever engaging under the pin; anda spring passing against one end of said lever\to move the other endagainst said pin.

14. A magazine for automatic rifles oomprising, in combination, ahollowbody; a follower within the body; a pair of levers engaging the followeron the underside at opposite ends, saidlevers being pivoted to the bodyat opposite ends thereof and at low points; a pin engaging said leversand guided y slots on opposite sides of the body; a lever engaging undersaid pin; a spring pressing against said lever to move it against saidpin; the aforesaid slots being so shaped as to cause the spring to ressunevenly upon the opposite ends of the follower to compensate for thetaper of the cartridges in the body.

15. A magazine for automatic rifles comprising, in combination, a hollowbody; a follower within the body; a spring withinpthe body; mechanisminterposed between the v spring and the follower to transmit the en. 105ergy of the spring to the follower; and means acting on said mechanismautomatically to vary the pressure of said sprin at opposite ends of thefollower as the fo lower moves upwardly in the body.

16. A safety device for the triggers of rifles comprising, incombination, a pin movable transversely through the trigger and havingtwo grooves therein at spaced points;

a sprlng-pressed plunger engageable with .11.5 either groove to hold thepin in one of two positions, said plunger being movable longitudinallyof the` trigger at right angles to said pin; and a fixed stop adjacentbut to one side of the trigger with which the pin engages when the pinis thrust out at the corresponding side of the trigger.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixedmy signature.

GEORGE E. LUTTON.

